    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: George W. Bush (2004, Book III)]
    [November 30, 2004]
    [Pages 3026-3027]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    Remarks at a Dinner Hosted by Prime Minister Paul Martin of Canada in Gatineau, Canada
    November 30, 2004

        Thank you all. Thank you very much. Thank you. Thank you all very
    much. Thank you. The Prime Minister just said, ``It's good to be home.''
    I'm here to tell you, it's good to be in Canada. I want to thank you for
    the warm reception, and I was pleased to see when I opened up the menu
    that we'll be eating Alberta beef.
        Mr. Prime Minister, Madam First Lady,
    former Prime
    Ministers, distinguished leaders of Canada, distinguished guests, and
    ladies and gentlemen, Laura and I are really
    honored to be here in this great nation. Canada is an old friend. Canada
    is an honored ally of America.
        On this magnificent museum's coat of arms is a motto: Many cultures
    in one country. In your nation and in mine, people of many cultures,
    races, and religions embrace a set of ideals that proclaim the liberty
    and equality of all. These principles are the source of great unity in
    our diverse lands, and they are the foundation of a close and warm
    friendship between our two nations.
        Our common bond of values and mutual respect have created an
    alliance that is unsurpassed in strength and depth and potential. Ours
    is one of the largest trading relationships in the world. We depend on
    each other to secure the energy resources that help our economies
    expand. We work together to protect the land and waters of our beautiful
    continent. Most importantly, our nations work together to protect our
    people from harm.
        For nearly 50 years, the military personnel of your nation and mine
    have worked together as a single unit at NORAD to monitor the air
    approaches to North America and to protect us from attack. On September
    the 11th, it was a Canadian general, holding the chair at NORAD, who gave the order to
    initiate our defenses. In an era of new threats, American and Canadian
    law enforcement and intelligence agencies are working more closely than
    ever before, and our peoples are more secure because of it.
        We also share the mission of spreading the blessings of liberty
    around the world. In October of this year, millions of Afghans,
    including millions of women, voted peacefully to elect a leader of moderation. We're working together for stability and
    prosperity in Haiti and the Sudan. With Canada's generous contribution,
    the reconstruction of Iraq will help that nation become a peaceful
    democracy.
        Our efforts in these troubled regions are driven by our faith, faith
    in the ability of liberty to unite different cultures, races, and
    religions and faith in the ability of liberty to lift up people, to
    offer an alternative

    [[Page 3027]]

    to hate and violence, and to change the world for the better.
        And so, Mr. Prime Minister, in admiration for all you've done to
    create a world governed by liberty and justice and friendship, I offer a
    toast to you, to the people of Canada, and to the friendship of our two
    peoples.

    Note: The President spoke at 7:15 p.m. at the Canadian Museum of
    Civilization. In his remarks, he referred to Sheila Martin, wife of
    Prime Minister Martin; former Prime Ministers Jean Chretien and John
    Napier Turner of Canada; Lt. Gen. E.A. Findley, Canadian Forces, deputy
    commander, North American Aerospace Defense Command; and President Hamid
    Karzai of Afghanistan. The Canadian Museum of Civilization is located
    across the Ottawa River from Ottawa, Ontario. The transcript released by
    the Office of the Press Secretary also included the remarks of Prime
    Minister Martin.